Chapter One: The Spark of Beginning 🌱⚔️
The clack of a wooden sword rang through the Lu family backyard, cutting through the crisp morning air. Rapid breaths followed each strike.
Golden sunlight spilled through the trees, glinting off the stone floor, worn smooth from countless training sessions.
Ten-year-old Lu Yi gripped his old wooden sword tightly. Sweat plastered his black hair to his forehead. His hands trembled slightly.
Exhaustion weighed him down, but his eyes burned with determination, like tiny embers refusing to die.
Before him stood his father, Lu Feng. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Hair tied neatly. Features sharp as a blade.
His voice carried the weight of a seasoned fighter, but beneath it shone warmth—a father's unspoken love.
"Focus, Lu Yi!" his father called, voice echoing across the yard.
"The sword spares no one who hesitates. It accepts no one who underestimates it!"
Lu Yi lunged with a quick strike. But Lu Feng moved with effortless grace, deflecting the blow. The sword's tip tapped Lu Yi's shoulder lightly.
"Ah!" Lu Yi hit the stone floor, groaning, chest heaving.
Lu Feng smiled faintly and offered a hand.
"Better than before. But true strength… that's something else. Speed alone won't win battles. Your strikes must be steady. Resolute."
Lu Yi took his father's hand, pushing himself up.
"I won't give up…" he whispered. "I must grow stronger… for my mother… and little Xiao."
Lu Feng sat on a wooden bench beneath an ancient tree, beckoning his son to join him.
"Rest a moment. Strength must be balanced with calm."
Lu Yi sat, panting. His father's gaze was full of pride.
"Fifth level of Chi Refinement. Excellent for your age. When I was ten… I barely reached level three."
Lu Yi's eyes sparkled with ambition.
"Father… when can I enter the Inner Section?"
Lu Feng chuckled.
"That depends on your diligence and patience. The Outer Competition is brutal. Only the strongest reach the peaks… and even then, many fall."
Before Lu Yi could reply, something unexpected appeared.
A shimmering, transparent panel floated in the air. Moonlight traced glowing words on its surface:
[Congratulations! The system has been successfully linked.]
[To view the Beginner's Guide, say: "Beginner's Guide".]
"The system… finally!"
His heart raced. He quickly composed himself. No need to alert his father.
He closed his eyes. Whispered in his mind: "Beginner's Guide."
A larger panel appeared, clear and organized:
[Beginner's Guide – System]
Daily Tasks:
100 Push-ups = 10 points
100 Sit-ups = 10 points
100 Squats = 10 points
Run 10 kilometers = 10 points
Meditate for one hour = 10 points
[Total possible daily points: 50]
Notes:
No penalty for incomplete tasks.
Seven consecutive days unlock a special reward.
Points can be saved for later use.
"Physical training… and meditation?"
Lu Yi blinked, then remembered stories from his previous life. A small grin appeared.
"This system… my only way to rise."
A new message appeared:
[New Feature Unlocked: Status Window]
[Status Window]
Name: Lu Yi
Age: 10
Cultivation Level: Chi Refinement – Level 5 (Mid Stage)
Talent: Average (0/1000)
Comprehension: Excellent (0/3000)
Cultivation Technique: Flowing Cloud Breathing – Level 2 (150/200)
Martial Arts:
Basic Sword Technique – Level 5 (0/1000)
Wind Sword Technique – Level 1 (10/100)
Points:
Daily: 0
Battle: 0
Kill: 0
Goodness: 0
Sin: 0
"Status window… just like the games from my past life."
Excitement surged, but his father's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Lu Yi… what's wrong? You look lost in another world."
Concern and humor mixed in Lu Feng's tone.
Lu Yi shook his head quickly, hiding his excitement.
"Nothing, Father. Just… thinking of a new way to train."
Lu Feng raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"Alright. Show me."
One by one, Lu Yi performed the exercises: push-ups, squats, sit-ups, then ran laps around the yard.
His father watched silently, astonished.
"These exercises… I've never seen anyone train like this before."
Inside Lu Yi's mind, the system sent notifications:
[100 push-ups completed: +10 points]
[100 squats completed: +10 points]
[100 sit-ups completed: +10 points]
[10-kilometer run completed: +10 points]
Finished with the physical exercises, Lu Yi sat cross-legged in the yard and closed his eyes.
Deep, controlled breaths. Calm body. Calm mind.
Lu Feng's eyebrows shot up.
"Meditation too? Lu Yi… where did you learn this?"
Lu Yi smiled faintly.
"Trying something new, Father. To sharpen my focus."
His father leaned back, watching silently.
"This boy… his ambition far exceeds his years."
After an hour, Lu Yi opened his eyes. The final notification appeared:
[One hour of meditation completed: +10 points]
[Congratulations! You've completed all daily tasks.]
[Total points earned today: 50]
Lu Yi inhaled deeply. Determination sparkled in his eyes.
He lifted his gaze to the distant misty peaks, home to the strongest of the Inner Sect.
"Wait for me…" he whispered fiercely.
"The Inner Section… the high peaks… even the main peak itself… Lu Yi is coming!"